Understanding Force Units
Force is a fundamental physical quantity measured in various units across different disciplines. The Newton is the SI standard, but pound-force (lbf) is widely used in American engineering, and kilogram-force (kgf) appears in some older specifications and everyday language. The dyne is a CGS unit occasionally found in scientific literature.
In structural engineering, forces are often expressed in kilonewtons (kN) for building loads and material strengths. In aerospace, both Newtons and pound-force are commonly used. Understanding these conversions is essential for engineers working with international specifications and standards.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Newton?
A Newton (N) is the SI unit of force, defined as the force needed to accelerate one kilogram of mass at one meter per second squared (1 N = 1 kg·m/s²). It is named after Sir Isaac Newton. The weight of a medium apple is approximately 1 Newton.
How do I convert kilogram-force to Newtons?
Multiply kilogram-force (kgf) by 9.80665 to get Newtons. One kgf is the force exerted by one kilogram of mass under standard gravity. For example, a 70 kg person exerts approximately 686.5 N of force on the ground due to gravity.